How to bleed a radiator
When window and door specialist Safestyle UK analysed Google search data to find the most commonly searched DIY questions, the findings proved very interesting. After ploughing through more than 1.2 million search terms, how to bleed a radiator ranked as the second most searched for query on the list.
Like most things, if you know how to do it, it’s a pretty simple task, but if you don’t it can seem daunting. Keep reading for the Good Homes easy-to-follow guide to bleeding a radiator…
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How to bleed a radiator
- To work out if a radiator needs bleeding or not, first turn on your central heating and double check all radiators in your house – if any feel cooler than others, there’s a good chance they need bleeding.
- Wait for the radiator to cool before attempting to bleed it, to avoid burning yourself. Once cool, you’ll need to locate the bleed valve, which is essentially a round hole with a square inside. This will be located at the top of the radiator, on one of the sides.
- Once you’ve located the valve, insert the bleed key (or a Philips head/crosshead screwdriver, for more modern radiators) and rotate about 90 degrees anti-clockwise to loosen. Make sure you use a cloth here, and lay down towels to catch any fluids that leak out.
- As you turn the key you’ll start to hear a hissing sound, indicating air is leaving the radiator. Continue with the key turned anti-clockwise until water begins to run out of the valve, indicating you’ve bled all of the air from the radiator (ideally, you want a bit of water to come out, but not a lot because it will create a mess).
- This process should take around 30 seconds, depending on the size of the radiator. Once water begins to run out of the valve, tighten the key again, taking care not to fasten too tightly. Use a towel to mop up any excess water, and move onto the next radiator.
Still not feeling confident? This video by heating experts at Worcester Bosch demonstrates how to bleed a radiator to keep your home warm this winter:
What are the 10 most googled DIY questions?
- How to fix a leaky tap
- How to bleed a radiator
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